I think it's more hope than reality to think Perry will be the second guy. I still see him as an undersized DE who hasn't convinced me he can play in space. After that any of the players other than Hawk and Neal could rise to # 2. I'm really hoping that Datone Jones is a difference maker as a rookie and changes the entire defensive dynamics.

Can you imagine if our defense was a serious strength instead of the liability/achilles heel/weakness that it has been in the Rodgers Era's 3 playoff losses?

I believe Capers has a strong reputation.
He's being paid to be good, one of the highest 5 paid Defensive Coordinators.
Teddy has invested heavily in this defense.
Capers' defense needs to produce, starting this year, or I think he's gone.

Forget about Datone Jones, if just Nick Perry plays up to his billing this defense takes a leap forward. His natural pass rushing ability and his ability to set the edge would improve every phase of our Defense's performance. If Jones does turn out for us well then that's gravy.

Can you imagine if our defense was a serious strength instead of the liability/achilles heel/weakness that it has been in the Rodgers Era's 3 playoff losses?

I believe Capers has a strong reputation.
He's being paid to be good, one of the highest 5 paid Defensive Coordinators.
Teddy has invested heavily in this defense.
Capers' defense needs to produce, starting this year, or I think he's gone.

Click to expand...

I agree. We have the makings to be a very good defense if some things pan out. We already have one of the best secondaries in the game if you consider the depth from the no. 1 CB to no. 4. Burnett is ascending and consistent. Who knows about the second safety spot, but with the talent elsewhere back there, we don't need McMillian and/or Jennings to be great.

And then the front seven - if Datone and Perry live up to their first-round billing, then we're able to limit Neal to what he does best - essentially a specialty rusher. Then, we'd have some talent to get after the QB: Clay, Jones, Perry, Raji, Neal ... That has the makings to be very good if it pans out like we think/hope.

Its a little bit much to expect Datone to come in and be a huge impact. I think he will be an excellent player for us, but it is rare for a DL to make an immediate and huge impact. I will consider Datone a huge success if he plays 50% of snaps and has a few sacks.

Along the lines here of our defense and what's needed: How about some harder hitting, forced fumbles?

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Packers have recovered 55 fumbles since 2006, McCarthy’s first season. That’s tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the fewest in the NFL over that time. Dead last.

The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, recovered an NFL-best 107 fumbles during that same time frame under Smith, or nearly double the number the Packers did.

Interestingly, the three teams that were the best at recovering fumbles since 2006 are the Bears, the Detroit Lions (106) and Minnesota Vikings (95), all of the Packers’ NFC North rivals.